Yarn winding apparatus



Filed Apfil 25, 1967 l of 5 Sheet INVENTOR MICHAEL BURGIN EMERY ATTORNEYYARN WI ND I N G APPARATUS FIG.3

Filed April 25, 1967 Shget of5 INVENTOR MICHAEL BURGIN EMERY ATTORNEYFeb. 18,1969 M. B. EMERY 3,428,266

YARN WIND ING APPARATUS INVENTOR MICHAEL BURGIN E MERY ATTORNEY Feb. 18,1969 M. B. EMERY YARN WIND ING APPARATUS Sheet Filed April 25, 1967 v INVEN'IOR M ICHAEL B URG I N EMERY BY W Add ATTORNEY Feb. 18, 1969 M. B.EMERY YARN WINDING APPARATUS F I G 8 Filed April 25, 1967 INVENTORMICHAEL BURGIN EM ERY Y Nada/ 4 ATTORNEY United States Patent 8 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE ilar windups.

Background of the invention This invention relates generally to thepackaging of synthetic yarns and, more particularly, to the equipmentwith which yarn advancing continuously from a source is wound onsuccessive packages.

Windups which include a print or drive roll to which yarn advances froma reciprocating traverse guide and from which the yarn is deposited on asurface driven package are in wide use. To avoid waste during a doffingcycle, such windups have been modified by the provision of two rotatablepackage supports alternately movable into surface driven engagement withthe drive roll and of auxiliary equipment for accomplishing transfer ofthe yarn from a full package to a driven empty support. Such auxiliaryequipment is permanently installed at each winding position, requiring ayarn transfer mechanism for each windup. This necessitates aconsiderable investment in equipment at plant locations where a largenumber of windups are used. A windup of this type is disclosed in mycopending US. application Ser. No. 406,522, filed Oct. 26, 1964, and nowUS. Patent No. 3,310,247.

Summary of the invention This invention has as its most importantobjective the provision of a portable yarn transfer mechanism which canbe used sequentially with a plurality of windups of the type describedto transfer yarn automatically from a full to an empty support. Anotherobject of the invention is to provide for positive control of the yarnduring a transfer cycle. A further object of the invention is to providefor the direct transfer of the yarn from a full package to an emptysupport without waste. A corollary object of this invention is toprovide for the winding of a transfer tail at the beginning of eachpackage.

These and other objects are achieved in a windup which includes a driveroll, a pair of rotatable chucks, a package support on each chuck, eachchuck and associated support being alternately movable into surfacedriven engagement with the drive roll, a reciprocating traverse guidethrough which yarn normally advances around the drive roll to a drivenpackage support and a portable device for transferring the yarn from afull package to a driven empty package support. The transfer deviceincludes a mobile support and an extensible frame mounted on the supportfor movement into position adjacent an empty package support on thedriven chuck. The frame has an elongated surface adapted on one side forengagement with a reference surface on the windup and carries a crossslide which has a stroke, lengthwise of the package support, thatterminates beyond the limit of the traverse guide stroke. Each chuck has3,428,266 Patented Feb. 18, 1969 a groove with snaring elements locatedbeyond the limit of the traverse guide stroke for snagging the yarn toinitiate a package. A- plurality of guides are provided on the crossslide to sweep the yarn out of the windup traverse guide, retain theyarn within the limits of the drive roll, bring the yarn into alignmentand proximity with the snagging device on the driven chuck and form atransfer tail during package initiation. Control means are also providedto continuously actuate the windup and the yarn transfer device inpreselected sequence following completion of a package.

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is a schematic side view ofthe windup with the yarn transfer device in a retracted position.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front view of the windup.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the yarn transfer deviceextended and in operative engagement with the windup.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the supporting and extending mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a side View of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned isometric view of the principal elementsof the windup and the yarn transfer device showing the yarn transferdevice operatively engaged with the windup.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing the pivotal mounting and biasing ofthe transfer tail forming rod on the transfer device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the control features of thewindup and the transfer device.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment Referring to FIG. 1, itwill be seen that the windup chosen for purposes of illustrationincludes generally, as components thereof, an equipment frame 10, a pairof articulated swing arms 12, 14 mounted for relative rotation about acommon pivot 16, rotatable chucks 18, 20 on stub shafts at theextremities of arms 12, 14, a drive roll 22, a reciprocating traverseguide 24 through which yarn 26 advances from guide 23 under drive roll22 to a package 28 on chuck 20, and a transfer device TD.

Just prior to the completion of package 28 a piston and cylinderassembly 40 is actuated to pivot a latch 42 clockwise, thereby releasingarm 12 from its ready position to one in which an empty support 44 onchuck 18 is in surface driven engagement with drive roll 22.

At the timed completion of package 28, a piston and a cylinder assembly32 and coupled linkages are actuated to release a pawl 34 and to preparethe illustrated cams for descent of arm 14 to a point where the stubshaft rests on a cradle 36. Chuck 20 will continue to rotate and take upyarn when it reaches the dotted line position shown at 20".

As described more fully hereinafter, the descent of package 28 initiatesextensible and pivotal movement of transfer device TD to a position(FIG. 3) beneath drive roll 22 and the then drive but empty packagesupport 44 on chuck 18. When yarn 26 has been transferred to and iswinding on that support, transfer device TD is returned to the retractedposition shown in FIG. 1. Then a braking means, not shown, engages withchuck 20'. This leaves package 28 ready for doffing, which isaccomplished after arm 14 has been swung to a position where it is heldin a notch 48 on latch 42. After replacement of the full package with anempty tube 44, arm 14 is unlatched at 48 and swung further to the readyposition, i.e., to the position shown for arm 12 in FIG. 1. In themeantime, a package is being built on chuck 18.

In FIG. 2 the stub shaft on which chuck 20 is rotatably mounted has beenshown at 50. It is the illustrated length of shaft 50 which engagescradle 36 when the chuck is in position 20'. Chuck 20 has a groove 52cut in its surface adjacent the location of support tube 44. Chuck 18 issimilarly equipped. Within each groove 52, there are several V-shapedsnaring elements 54 and angularly disposed severing elements 55 whichfunction to snare and sever yarn 26 at the initiation of a package. Atransfer tail of one or more helical wraps is wound when yarn 26 isreleased by transfer device TD.

In general, yarn transfer device TD includes two main components, atransporting mechanism and a yarn transferring mechanism. In theillustrated embodiment, the transporting mechanism includes a guideblock 68 suspended from monorail 62 through monorail trolley 64 and beam66. This allows the yarn transfer device to be manually moved intoposition for operation at any one of a plurality of windups. In FIGS. 4,and 6, guide block 68 carries a pair of parallel slideable rods 70fixedly interconnected at their one end by rod 72 which is journaled inframe 58. As shown in FIG. 4, secured to block 68 is a double actinghydraulic cylinder 74, the piston rod 76 of which is attached to rod 72,thus providing for reciprocable movement of the frame when fluid isadmitted to supply lines 78 and 80 on cylinder 74. Secured to frame 58(e.g. by welding) is a crank plate 59 in which are two pivots 56, 57;the plate 59 in conjunction with rod 72 provides a three-point pivotsuspension for frame 58. At the opposite end of one guide rod 70, thereis a pivot 82 which carries a bell crank 83 that in turn carries twopivots 84 and 85. Link 86 with cam track 88 attached to it connectspivot 56 to pivot 85, and an equal length link 87 connects pivot 57 topivot 84. Cam track 88 is engaged by cam follower 89 which is fixed withrespect to block 68 so that when rod 76 is extended or retracted, links86, 87 are shifted by the combination of cam track 88 and cam follower89 causing the frame 58 to pivot about rod 72 (approximately 45 In theyarn transferring mechanism, as best shown in FIG. 6, centrally mountedon top of frame 58 is a fluid operated rotary actuator 90, e.g., Rotacmanufactured by Ex-Cello Corp., Greenville, Ohio. Actuator 90 receivesfluid power through lines 213, 215 in a manner to be described later.Shaft 94 of actuator 90 carries a forked arm 96 which engages pin 98fastened to one side of cross slide 100 which is carried by rods 106 onframe 58. On the other side of cross slide 100 is a pivotal mounting 104for an elongated rod 102 which extends beyond yarn 26 as the yarndescends to traverse guide 24. As shown in FIG. 7, pivot 104 whichsupports rod 102 is carried in a hole in the underside of cross-slide100 and is secured for rotational movement by snap ring 111. Wrappedloosely about piv-ot 104 is a helical spring 107, one end of which isengaged in a hole in slide 100 while the other end is connected to pivot104 by pin 105. A tapered cam surface 103 is provided at the end of rod102, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter. The effect ofspring 107 is to bias rod 102 counterclockwise about the axis of pivot104 (FIG. 6) to an angle of about 30 degrees with respect to a plane atright angles to the drive roll axis. At opposite limits of travel ofcross-slide 100 on rods 106, rod 102 is engaged above pivot 104 by stop118 and below pivot 104 by stop 119, both of which are fixed to frame58. This engagement in each instance overcomes the bias of spring 107and disposes rod 102 parallel to a plane perpendicular to the axis ofdrive roll 22. Extending forwardly and downwardly from the lower edge ofcrossslide 100 (FIGS. 3 and 6) is an L-shaped arm 108 with a hook 109formed on one end. Fastened to frame 58 is a bar 110 located near theplane of one end of the drive roll 22 to prevent the yarn from fallingoff the one end of the roll after its removal from traverse guide 24during a yarn transfer operation.

Referring again to FIGS. 1, 3 and 6, an extension member 112 is providedon one side of frame 58. The member extends below rod 72 and has aflanged lip 114 (FIG. 6)

formed at its lower end to serve as a yarn guide, as will be more fullydescribed here below. Frame extension member 112 is adapted to abuteither the planar surface 15 of the pivot of articulated swing arm 12 orthe same surface 15 of swing arm 14, depending on which swing arm iscarrying the empty support to accommodate package initiation. Frame 58is slidea-ble on rod 72 and is urged toward surface 15 by spring 116disposed between rod 70 and frame 58, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6.When the transfer mechanism is moved from its retracted position(FIG. 1) to its engaged position (FIGS. 3 and 6), frame extension member112 first engages chamfered surface 13 then surface 15 as frame 58 ismoved to the engaged position, thus camming frame 58 into a preselecteddimensional relationship with the windup assembly, in which relationshipthe left side of the elongated bar 102 and the left side of the L-shapedarm 108 can sweep the yarn 26 into a plane in alignment with the groove52 when the cross-slide reaches its terminal position at the left.

The condition of various related control components while a package isbeing wound on chuck 20 has been shown schematically in FIG. 8.Completion of the package is determined by a timer 120 which closes aswitch 122 to connect solenoids 124, 126 to power source 121. With theenergization of solenoid 124 a coupled valve plug 130 is rotated toadmit fluid to cylinder 40 which actuates latch 42, releasing arm 12from its ready position. Energization of solenoid 126 rotates a coupledvalve plug 134 to the position which exhausts the lower end of cylinder32 to atmosphere. Resulting movement of associated linkages causesclockwise rotation of pawl 34, permitting descent of arm 14. In itsmovement, pawl 34 also reverses the position of switch 136, therebydeenergizing solenoid 126 and energizing solenoid 138. Deenergization ofsolenoid 126 permits clockwise return of valve plug 134. With both endsof cylinder 32 again pressurized, the piston therein exhausts the lowerend of cylinder 32 to atmosphere. Resulting movement of associatedlinkages causes clockwise rotation of pawl 34, permitting descent of arm14. In its movement, pawl 34 also reverses the position of switch 136,thereby de-energizing solenoid 126 and energizing solenoid 138.De-energization piston therein returns to its initial position. In themeantime, the transfer device TD has been manually moved along rail 62to this windup and the descent of package 28 permits arm 14 to closeswitch 46 which energizes solenoid 201 which in turn rotates a coupledvalve plug 200 admitting oil through line 78 to the upper end ofcylinder 74 thereby moving the transfer device TD into engagement withthe windup. As piston rod 76 reaches the extent of its travel, lug 204on rod 76 closes a normally open switch 207 which in turn energizessolenoid 203. Energization of solenoid 203 rotates a coupled valve plug202 admitting pressurized oil through line 213 to rotary actuator 90.This rotates arm 96 clockwise, thus moving cross-slide 100 leftward. Atthe end of the leftward stroke of slide 100, lug 211, on slide 100,opens normally closed switch 209, de-energizing solenoid 201. Valve plug200 returns to its former position (as shown) admitting pressurized oilthrough line 80 to the lower end and allowing oil to exhaust from theupper end of cylinder 74 thereby causing withdrawal of the transferdevice. Upward movement of piston rod 76 allows switch 207 to open;however, under the restraint of its dashpot, switch 207 remains closedfor several seconds delaying the de-energization of solenoid 203. Thisdelay persists during the first increment of upward motion of thetransfer device to retain the yarn in a position of alignment with thesevering elements on the chuck 20 to allow hook 109 to bring the yarninto engagement with these elements as the transfer device is moved awayfrom the windup. Additionally rod 102, being held against stop 118,remains in proximal alignment with the end of support 44 on chuck 18 andinitiates a transfer tail on support 44 as the transfer device iswithdrawn. De-energization of solenoid 203 permits valve plug 202 toreturn to its normal position, admitting oil through line 215 toactuator 90 thereby returning slide 100 to the right to its startingposition. Movement of slide 100 to the right allows a delayed closing ofswitch 209 by virtue of its dashpot. This delay is to maintain switch209 in the open position until after timer 120 runs out de-energizingall circuits thereby eliminating premature downward operation ofcylinder 74.

In operation, with extension 112 of frame 58 in the engaged position, asshown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the rotary actuator 90 is operated as previouslydescribed, causing arm 96 to swing clockwise carrying cross-slide 100beyond one limit of the traverse stroke. The L-shaped arm 108 attachedto cross-slide 100 carries that portion of yarn 26 below the drive roll22 to the plane of groove 52 in chuck 18. At the same time, elongated'bar 102 also carried by cross-slide 100 deflects yarn 26 removing itfrom traverse guide 24 and carries the portion of the yarn above thedrive roll 22 to the plane of groove 52. During its lateral sweep andafter leaving stop 119, bar 102 is allowed to rotate counterclockwiseabout 30 as controlled by the torsion spring (FIG. 7) associated withpivot 104. This position of bar 102 allows the bar to deflect the yarnoutwardly from the traverse guide. When bar 102 reaches the limit of itsstroke, it strikes stop 118 which deflects bar 102, keeping yarn 26carried by the bar in the plane of the groove 52. Except for flanged lip114 which extends into the area of the traverse stroke, the yarn wouldbe deflected from package 28 to the rotating chuck 20 and would beentangled thereon limiting effective snaring and severing.

When cross-slide 100 is in the position described to bring the yarn intothe plane of the yarn snaring and severing device, the frame 58 isretracted. As arm 108 is withdrawn, hook 109 engages yarn 26 carrying itinto proximity of the snaring and severing device in groove 52. Whensnared, severed and winding on support 44, the yarn is still temporarilyrestrained by bar 102 from engaging traverse guide 24 until 'bar 102 issufficiently withdrawn to allow the yarn to escape over its end. At theinstant rod 102 ceases to engage yarn 26, the yarn under the control offixed guide 23 swings to the right to support 44 forming a transfer tailand is then engaged by traverse guide 24. In order to control the lengthof the transfer tail, a cam surface 103 is provided at the end of rod102. With this feature and upon the withdrawal of rod 102, the yarn willsimultaneously progress along surface 103 and move laterally in atransfer tail of one or more helical wraps on support 44. The length ofthe transfer tail may be controlled by changing the angle or shape ofcam surface 103 or by varying the rate of withdrawal of the transferdevice. As the frame 58 is retracted, cross-slide 100 is returned to itsstarting position and the transfer device is moved to the next windupposition to repeat its cycle.

While the arrangement of this invention shows the transfer devicetransported by means of a monorail, this means is subject to variation.The transfer device could be floor mounted, for example, on wheels orcarried by an endless belt to visit successively a plurality of winduppositions. Furthermore, as an alternate to the camming means fordimensionally locating the transfer device with respect to the windup,locating surfaces could be provided on the transporting means as, forexample, on the monorail.

Although the description has been directed to: an elongated rod 102 as ayarn deflecting member, it is obvious that various other structuralforms would be suitable substitutes for this member as for example aplate or a plate or bar with a guide attached thereto.

It is apparent that many changes and modifications of the disclosedtransfer mechanism may be made without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention, which is accordingly intended to be limited only bythe scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a winding apparatus including a drive roll, a pair of rotatablechucks alternately movable into surface driven engagement with the driveroll, each chuck carrying a package support and having yarn snaring andsevering elements adjacent the support thereon, and a traverse guidethrough which yarn normally advances around the drive roll to the drivensupport, a yarn transfer mechanism comprising:

(a) a frame (b) means mounting the frame for reciprocable movementtoward and away from a position adjacent both the drive roll and anempty driven support;

(c) a yarn deflecting member mounted on said frame for lateral movementto a location of alignment with said elements, said member being abovethe roll and projecting beyond the normal yarn path of advance to thetraverse guide; and

(d) motive means coupled to said member for laterally moving it to andfrom said location, said member being adapted to sweep the yarn from thetraverse guide toward said location during said lateral movement and torelease the yarn to the empty driven support as the frame is moved awayfrom said position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein is provided means for pivotallybiasing said member toward said location.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein is provided an elongated arm mountedon said frame: for concurrent lateral movement with said member to andfrom said location, said arm projecting beyond the yarn path below saidroll and being provided with a hook adapted to bring the yarn intoengagement with said elements as said frame moves away from saidposition.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 including means coupled to said mountingmeans for imparting said reciprocable movement.

5. In a winding apparatus having a plurality of windups, each windupincluding a drive roll, a pair of rotatable chucks alternately movableinto surface driven engagement with the drive roll, each chuck carryinga package support and having yarn snaring and severing elements adjacentthe support thereon and a traverse guide through which yarn normallyadvances around the drive roll to the driven package support, a devicefor transferring yarn from a full package to an empty driven support andwinding a transfer tail thereon, said device comprising:

(a) a mobile support block mounted. for movement into a positionadjacent each of the windups;

(b) a frame;

(c) means connecting said block and said frame for reciporcating saidframe toward and away from a position of engagement with a windupadjacent both the drive roll and an empty driven support;

(d) a yarn deflecting member mounted on said frame for lateral movementto a location of alignment with said elements, said member being abovethe roll and projecting beyond the normal yarn path of advance to thetraverse guide when said frame is in engagement with the windup;

(e) a hook mounted on said frame for concurrent lateral movement withsaid member, said hook projecting beyond the yarn path below said roll;and

(f) motive means coupled to said member and said hook for moving themlaterally of the driven support to said location thereby moving the yarnto said location, said hook and said member being adapted torespectively bring the yarn into engagement with said elements to severthe yarn and form a transfer tail on the empty driven support as saidframe moves away from said position of engagement with the windup.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said yarn deflecting member is anelongated rod, said rod being provided with a tapered cam surfaceadapted to control the length of 3,428,266 7 8 the transfer tail Woundon the empty driven support as References Cited the frame moves awayfrom said position of engagement.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein is provided means UNITED STATESPATENTS for pivotally biasing said rod toward said location of align- 2789 774 4/ 1957 P ter en et a1, 24218 ment with said elements duringsaid lateral movement. 3 076,614 2/1963 Ba er,

8. The apparatus of claim 7 including stop means on 3,149,795 9/1964Rheim 242-48 said frame for overcoming said bias at opposite limits ofsaid lateral movement. NATHAN L. MINTZ, Primary Examiner.

